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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Stem Cell Breakthrough Could End Human Embryonic Experimentation

21 Nov 2007 18:07 Africa/Lagos

Stem Cell Breakthrough Could End Human Embryonic Experimentation

Cloner of 'Dolly the Sheep' denounces life-destructive research in light of new discovery

MADISON, Wis., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers have announced this week that they have made a significant breakthrough in stem cell research using adult skin cells that could end the use of live human embryos as research subjects.

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin at Madison announced that they have identified four genes that, when manipulated, can force a skin cell back to the embryonic stage, creating a potentially unlimited supply of stem cells without having to destroy human embryonic life. The discovery was made simultaneously with independent researchers in Japan.

In the wake of this discovery, the famed cloner of "Dolly the Sheep," Prof. Ian Wilmut, has abandoned and denounced the life-destructive therapeutic cloning in favor of the more ethical production of human stem cells through the use of adult skin cells, signaling the possible end to academic acceptance of live human embryonic experimentation.

"Once and for all, we urge the scientific and medical communities to embrace the life-affirming research done on cells that do not cause the intentional destruction of innocent human life at the earliest, most vulnerable stages of development," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "There is no way to justify continued destructive research, which has yielded no cures of any kind."

Operation Rescue was one of the first groups in the nation to begin speaking out against live human embryonic experimentation when it launched protests against human experimentation labs in 1999.

Embryonic stem cells are prized by researchers for their ability to grow into any type of tissue in the body without degenerating, but with tragic side effects, such as massive tumor growth and other fatal complications. These complications have prevented stem cells derived by killing human embryos from making even one substantial breakthrough that has helped suffering patients.

On the other hand, research done on adult cells that do not require the taking of life has produced hundreds of breakthroughs that are helping people today.